ARJUN PEREIRA traces the evolution of Indian television from the time it first began as a visual media for upliftment to the time now when it beams satsangs and kirtans into your home at the flick of a button. For many, it is like a proverbial diva that lights up a dark home
The story of Indian television isn’t just about technology or content—it’s about how something as simple as a screen came into our homes and changed our inner world. It’s a bit like when you light a diya in a dark room—the whole space transforms. That’s kind of what TV did in India.
Humble Beginnings: 1959–1975
When Doordarshan first began on September 15, 1959, it wasn’t about entertainment or binge-watching. Nope, it was about upliftment. Imagine a country still young after Independence, trying to reach its people with knowledge, values, and hope. With help from UNESCO and Philips, DD started with tiny broadcasts from Delhi, focusing on education, farming, and civic sense.
Back then, watching TV wasn’t casual—it was sacred. Villagers and city folk would gather around the one TV in the neighbourhood, almost like a spiritual gathering. It brought people together with a sense of wonder. There was something deeply soulful about those slow-paced, black-and-white visuals. A kind of stillness.
The 1980s: Colour, Community, and Culture
Then came the big shift—colour television! Especially around the 1982 Asian Games, when the whole country gasped at those vibrant images. Suddenly, Doordarshan wasn’t just about information—it was about feeling.
Shows like Ramayan, Mahabharat, Hum Log, and Buniyaad weren’t just TV programs—they were weekly rituals. Streets would go silent. Temples would delay aarti. Families would sit together, eyes glued, hearts full. It wasn’t just entertainment—it was spiritual nourishment. These stories, rooted in dharma, karma, and tradition, touched something ancient in us.
The 1990s: From Monochrome Morality to Multicolour Madness
The ‘90s came with a bang—liberalization, satellite channels, Zee TV, Star Plus! Suddenly, we had choices. TV sets became more common, and programming more glamorous. But even with the glitz, many families still treated the TV with a kind of reverence.
This was also the time spiritual programs like Ramdev’s yoga sessions, Art of Living talks, and devotional bhajans found a steady place in our mornings. Sure, MTV was cool, but there was always space for a Satsang.
The 2000s: Emotional Highs and Loud Debates
By the 2000s, Indian homes were fully hooked. With daily soaps like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, viewers didn’t just watch—they felt. The stories echoed real-life drama, relationships, and even karmic justice. For many, these shows were a way to process life, especially for women who found strength, escape, or even companionship in them.
News channels exploded too—some turned into virtual battlegrounds. Still, in the middle of noise, people kept searching for truth. And channels with spiritual content—Aastha, Sanskar, etc.—continued to thrive. The inner quest never quite left the remote.
The Digital Leap: A New Playground?
Then came the OTT revolution—Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hotstar. Everyone suddenly had a mini-theatre in their hands. Content became bolder, edgier, and diverse. But the spiritual seeker inside many Indians still tuned into TED Talks, spiritual podcasts, or shows like Sacred Games that—despite the action—grappled with deep philosophical themes.
Thanks to YouTube and platforms like Gaia and InsightTimer, people could now explore meditation, mindfulness, and metaphysics at the tap of a finger.
Today and Tomorrow: Blending the Sacred and the Streamed
Now, we live in a time where everything is on screen—wisdom, distraction, divinity, and drama. You can scroll past a cat video into a Vedanta talk. Watch cricket, then chant with Sadhguru.
Indian television began as a tool to elevate consciousness. And even today—beneath all the flashy stuff—it still holds that potential. It’s up to us what we tune into. The remote is in our hands, literally and spiritually.
As India evolves, so will its screens—and the stories they tell. And maybe, just maybe, they’ll continue to awaken something deeper within us.
Arjun Pereira, a writer and editor, is also a singer, composer, lyricist and guitarist. He loves the outdoors and is often seen enjoying a vigorous game of tennis, mornings or evenings. He has worked for several leading publishing houses and corporates and loves to travel, soaking in new experiences and cultures. His subjects of interest are sports, spirituality and music.
Photo: AI Image
